Greetings everyone,

This piece is my foray into more rock-oriented music.

I have been using Power Tracks Pro almost since its inception and for this piece, I used the latest version (2018) exclusively. The instruments were generated by Garritan and IK Multimedia vst sound banks. The vocalist is not me because, quite frankly, I want people to like the piece.

The work is called "May I" and I wrote the words, played all the tracks, and produced the entire song. I hope you like it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApTxbvm34M0

Hi Lorne,

Welcome to the forum (I'm guessing this is your first post because I don't recall seeing your name before).

We don't see all that many PowerTracks Pro users on here. You're the second or third.

Firstly, that 2-bar rhythmic vamp at the start pulled me into the song nicely. That it keeps on returning throughout makes it a clever instrumental hook. It's got a Latin feel but it's a little different too... very memorable

Kudos on all the work you've put in to get this to the forum. Maggie's vocals are excellent and your writing and performing are a credit to you.

You said that you want people to like the piece. Well you're safe with me. I loved it!

All the best,
Noel

Welcome! Really enjoyed this, especially how you took the rock groove up a notch with some unexpected chord changes...also liked the subtle but effective added textures (like the background piano) when you ran thru the sequence the second time...lyrics are nice and tight to the core idea, with interesting variations that repeat the main idea...overall production top grade...looking to hear more, but include your lyric in the post, and any notes about how you constructed your track.

Lorne,

An well done piece. Well played, well sung, well mixed. A good arrangement.

Enjoyed that.

fj

I did like it. Very good song, an excellent arrangement, some strong playing and a nice vocal.
Good work all round.

Peter

Really enjoyed this. The beggining reminded me of West Side Story. Love the riff and bridge. This would be great ti jam to. Great tune thanks for listing.Rob

Cool intro. Super vocal and lyric. Well done..

Thank you everyone for your kind words. Very encouraging and much appreciated!

Lorne

Nice work on this one, Lorne I love the upbeat nature of this, and how the piano is the vocal point. It reminds me of Elton John at parts. The harmonies on the chorus are superb. If it wasn't you who sang this, tell whoever it was that they nailed it! The guitar solo was a fantastic touch as well.

Really well done - thanks for sharing!

I love the very original chord changes I can hear in this, they precisely fits the song's sentiment and lyrics. Top marks for the vocals and guitar break; again just right for the piece.

John

It was really cool to hear a song made entirely in Power Tracks. It had a really nice "bop" to it, and I think you nailed the rock vibe really well. The vocals were perfect for the style. Thanks for sharing!

Cool! It's got a sort of Wade in the Water feel to it, without sounding derivative.

Interesting arrangement, well played and sung. Lots of interesting things to hear, and excellent use of dynamics, bringing instruments in and out.

Fun listen.

Greetings all.

Again, thank you for your kind words and encouragement. As you all know, it's not always easy posting your work for everyone to hear.

Because folks have asked, here are just a few notes on how I created the track:

- I first hear the tune in my head and I sketch the idea into a rough piano track.
- I settle on chord structure and melody and then I begin to populate the individual parts, usually starting with a good piano line, bass and percussion to give me a "click track."
- I quantize sparingly.
- I add additional acoustic instruments (if applicable).
- After the piece is done, I mull it around for a while till a lyric theme develops and I stitch it together with my melody.
- I processed it using PG Music effects including: flanger, compression, reverb, and EQ.

Here are the lyrics:

Mama may I go down to the water, see the people wash their sins away?
Mama may I enter in the water, cleanse my soul and live for another day.
Make haste, and don't be late! Keep the fires from burning.
Hold fast, and don't look back! Keep your mind from yearning. Oh, oh, oh.
Mama may I sit next to the water, forget about the past and the pouring rain,
And live my life again?

Father may I look towards the heavens, watch the wonders fold up in the sky?
Father may I glance below the oceans, feel its mighty power that's in your design.
Make haste, and don't be late! Keep the flames from burning.
Hold fast, and don't look back! Keep your mind from yearning. Oh, oh, oh.
Father may I hold on to the future, forget about the past and the pouring rain,
And live my life again?

May I open my heart to my brother, be a friend and not a distant soul.
May I help with truth and understanding, let that be my constant eternal goal.
While I live my life again.

Copyright 2018 by Coffee Notes Music
www.coffeenotesmusic.com

Pretty cool throughout, the video is really well done, and Maggie's vocals are superb including the layering.

This is really, really musical. I definitely enjoyed it.

I also like the way you've used the intro as a hook. Really nice.

Excellent song, lyrics and instruments so well placed, love the vocal on this!!! Great message!!!

Cliff

Hi Leaky, welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing! Very lovely guitar strums and excellent song arrangement too. Well done!